New Members

We are always looking for new basketball officials on Board 31. If you have ever considered becoming a referee we strongly urge you to contact us. It is a great way to stay involved with a great sport that was invented, literally, in our own back yard.

The following is an overview of the process involved in becoming a referee on Board 31:

First, you will need to contact our Secretary, Tony Dulude, via e-mail at ref31@comcast.net or (413) 531-9587 to register.

The next series of classes for new applicants will begin on September 28, 2011 at 7:00 PM at Holyoke High School. These classes then run every Wednesday night on October 5, 12, 19, & 26 as well as Nov 2. All start at 7:00 PM.
The cost of this class is $200.00 per person and includes the purchase of a rule book. The written exam for new applicants will be held at 7:00 PM on Monday, November 7, 2011 at Holyoke High School.

If you successfully pass the written exam, the floor exam will follow. The new applicants will meet with our training chairman and his staff on five different nights. These volunteers will instruct new applicants on the proper mechanics of officiating a basketball game and put what you learned in class into a practical setting.

At this time, you will need to purchase the necessary clothing for you to referee games. Jim Whipple, of Whip's Sporting Goods at 509 Page Blvd in Springfield, is a member of Board 31 and carries all the materials (black shoes, socks & pants, the official IAABO shirt and Fox whistle) you will need. Contact Jim at his store (phone: 413-739-0069) and he will take care of you. These supplies are also available at Honig's Sporting Supplies in Suffield, CT.

After classroom and on-court teaching, new applicants will referee scrimmage games. These games are usually 5th to 8th grade boys and girls games. After successfully showing an ability to referee games, new applicants are then released to work and are considered as probationary members of the board for their first full year on the board.

We welcome males and females of any age to apply to become a member of Board 31. Obviously, you will need to be in good enough physical condition to handle the requirements needed to officiate a basketball game as well as be willing to make a commitment to the sport and Board 31.

If this is something that appeals to you, please contact us!

Congratulations to the graduates of our 2010 Training Class! Welcome to Board #31 to the following:

NAME; E-Mail Address; Cell Phone #
Michael Baker michael.baker7579@yahoo.com 575-4410
Jeffrey Benson Jsbenson57@yahoo.com 636-8180
Richard Byrd richard.byrd413@yahoo.com 222-2277
Tammy Dougherty tammydougherty@justice.com 512-1011
Will Evans willsprin@aol.com 426-2051
Andrew Martin andrew.martin@aic.edu 636-6536
Terrence Payne terrencepayne@yahoo.com 636-9925
Chris Rodriguez chrisrod31@yahoo.com 244-5681
Owen Shanahan owenshanahan58@comcast.net 534-1758
David Wright dwright@chicopee.k12.ma.us 313-5008